[yellowrose]

well, the way I am spending my holiday is not the way
I used to spend them in years past. If we were at my
family's home, it would be a large gathering of siblings
and their families. Also some other relatives that make
the traditional rounds.
If we were at my in-laws, it would be a smaller gathering
with them, an aunt or two, and my hubby and kids.
This year, we will have neither of those. We are stuck here
at home with my hubby's family who are all convalescing
at home or in a nursing home. The in-laws and aunts are
very old (late 70's and 80's). So, this Christmas eve it will
be just my husband and boys here at home anticipating
the "santa" thing, waiting for the boys to go to sleep. Then,
the Christmas morning routine (nothing spiritual about it)
when the boys ravage their gifts, paper scattered everywhere
and then run to play with their favorite gifts.
Then, later in the day we are trying to get all the OLD people
together. One is recuperating from a recent eye operation,
the mom-in-law is in a nursing home and we still are
not sure about trying to bring her home on a visit, and the
one aunt is almost blind. It could make for an interesting
holiday. Just enough time to gather, eat, clean up and
get everyone back to their own homes.
For some reason, this does not feel comforting to me.
I am longing for my own family who are celebrating as
usual, the way my dad used to do it when he was alive.
This will be the third Christmas without him. Since he
died, the holidays have not been the same.
So, here I sit at 5pm in my pajamas, snacking on
nothing nutritious, and watching cartoon network.
It is so very different than what I am used to. Maybe
this is a sign to find my own meaning to this holiday
stuff......I don't know....I do know that I am feeling
sad and a bit empty even with my hubby and kids
around.
Well, that's all for now. I know I will get through all
of this, I just needed to vent where others will under-
stand. Thanks.
Yellowrose

[yellowrose]

OK, only 11 hours and 8 minutes to go! Almost over....my ADHD kid is ungrateful for his presents....they weren't good enough....I hate this holiday crap.

[Peanut61]

Hang in there, Yellowrose. Tomorrow will be a new day!

<font color=blue>HI FROM PEANUT</font color=blue>